Management of the Wellfield Contaminated by Dense Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Vilnius, Lithuania

Abstract

Drinking water supply in Lithuania is entirely based on groundwater. Wellfields of Vilnius develop intermorainic ca. 50 m deep (in average) aquifer which is locally contaminated by chlorinated hydrocarbons— volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Groundwater abstraction activates VOCs migration from an abandoned factory into the pumping wells of one wellfield named “Vingis.” However monitoring data testify that only traces of VOCs were detected on the territory of this factory. Subsequent studies revealed the “secret”: dense VOCs have migrated from the territory of the polluter and have accumulated in lowermost places of pumped aquifer inside the wellfield. An attempt to ensure low concentration of VOCs in pumped water manipulating by pumping rates of more or less contaminated abstraction wells was not effective. Finally, an acceptable concentration of VOCs in supplied drinking water was ensured by permanent pumping out of the most polluted groundwater from some abstraction wells of the wellfield and diverting this water to the Neris River.